Deflecting tool



w. N. oswALD 2,293,300 DEFLECTING-T00L Filed July ,5, 1940 Q@ am m m Xmmmmm,

wekmk@ angle of, deiiectionof the i, manufacture ofthe socket bly thereof.

Patented July 28, 1942 William N. Oswald, Dalia man Oil Well Survey s, Tex., assig'nor to East- Company,

Dallas, Tex., a

corporation of Delaware, and Eastman Oil Well Survey Corporation, Long Beach, Calif., a corv poration of California, jointly Application July 5, 1940, seria1N0.344,046 12 claims. (or. Z55-1.6)

This invention relates to new and useful iin- .provements in deflecting tools.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved deecting tool which is adapted to be lowered into the well bore for changing the inclination Aor direction of the well .bore and which has means for drilling a full-gage hole or bore in the desired direction.`

An important object of the invention is to provide a well bore deilecting tool having an improved ball and socket necting the tool with the drill stem, whereby the tool relative to the stem may be readily controlled, not only in the A particular object of the invention is to provide an improved de flecting tool, wherein a yieldable vmeans is mounted above the knuckle joint or connection between the tool and bit and exerts its pressure to constantly maintain the tool in its deected position while the same is lowered through the well bore; the arrangement of the joint being such that when bottom is reached andweight applied to the tool, said joint is rev lieved of the ,pressure of the yieldable means, whereby when thetool is rotated, any tendency of the tool to cock or swing out of its oriented position is obviated and also whereby excessive wear on the various parts is eliminated.

Still another object of the invention is to provide improved dei'lecting pins inLthe knuckle joint or connection which are utilized for the :purpose of controlling the angle of deection and also for rotatablyconnecting the parts; said pins being so mounted lthat thrust or shoclgpn supportnypweight during rotation of theltool, is materially increased.-y t

A further object of .the invention is to provide arrangement for con' but also after assemwherebyjhe life of the tool they do, not-,absorb any a tool, of the character described, which is con-v structed with an unobstructed passage therethrough for permitting a free circulation of drilling iluid therethrough and which is so rarranged that the various movable elements which comprise the knuckle joint are protected from the downwardly flowing iiuid which is circulated through said passage under pressure. I Still another object of the invention is to provide an' improved tool which is constructed 0i a minimum number of parts and which is arranged so that lit may be quickly and easily assembled or disassembled for purposes of repair, replacement, or for other reasons.

n A. construction desigriedfto` carry out the in- 55' vention will be hereinafter described, together with other features of the invention.

'Ihe invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specication and by reference to the accompanying drawing, in which an example of the invention is shown, and wherein:

Figure 1 is an elevation of a delectng tool, constructed in accordance with the invention, and showing the same lowered in a well bore,

Figure 2 is an enlarged, transverse, vertical, sectional view of .the knuckle joint or connection between the tool and drill stem, said connection being illustrated in the fposition which it assumes during lowering ofthe device, f

Figure 3 is a similar view, with the position during rotation of the tool,

Figure 4 is a horizontal, cross-sectional View. taken on the line 4 4 of Figure 2,

Figure 5 is a transverse, vertical, sectional view, taken on the line 5 5 of Figure 2, and

Figure 6 -is a detail view, illustrating a bushing on the axial pin onf the ball element for controlling the angle of deection. `Y

In thedrawng, the numeral I0 designates the usual rotatable drill pipe or stem which has an elongate coupling' collar Il threaded onto its lower end. The collar Il is 'adapted to connect the lower end o1' the drill stem with the improved deflectingtool T, 4whereby said toolis suspended from the lower end of the stem and maybe run downwardly intothe. well lbore A, as said drill stem is lowered therethrough. The deflecting tool T includesa pilot bit l2 which 'is adapted to engage the bottom ofthe well bore at a predetermined inclination,

cutting bit or reamer parts in cutting action of the pilot` bit as it enters the for- I mation, together ,with the follow-up .action of themainvbit, is usual practice.

plane, as is clearly shown in Figis imparted to the The deneenng wel ne beu threaded onto the upper will be manifest um eemedwithin endsofthe pin-'being e cifh amount of inclination the shank 2|.' ceases beingforinedV in the exterior i urea, the groove or than the groove or `downwardly ,a lfurtherdistance' than vwith the result that socketelement, wherebyl said element and the v trol the angle of includes the bodyy II of the bit il. which is formed I ternally screw-threaded collar I8 at its lowerend (Figures 2 and 3).` An elongate tubular or pipe I1 has its `upper end threaded into the collar I6. while its lower end has the `pilot bit l2 theret by y.screw threads or other means. The bere ofthe elongate pipe n; eemmunicates with the bore ila of the bit body il, wherebypa communication between the borek of the ,bodyl il andthe outlet radially outwardly from the exterior able to provide a plurality of extend through the wall of the bit body for the of conducting a thelbore thereof into contact with the cutting blades. Y

to connect the i element n. 'me bannis preferably made' meetubular shank 2lV remainder aysocket ele-A haits lower end screwportion of the ,bitl body socket element 22 is nient er sleeve :Lumen Il. The upperv end of the A curvedinwardly andisprovided'with an axial necting theball ,il with the socket is provided with apair of diametrically I,Opposed recesses or `grooves-w.leganti thesegrecessesare adaptedto receive radial pinsIII-which exte inwardlylfrom the socketelement. the outer i witablyccured insaid socket (Figurell. To furtherrotatably consocket and to control the between said socket and provided with i .d1-

ametrically opposed.-recesseslltand Iclearly shown--inrigures 2 2,6,.has a greater length 121, whereby the bottom 201s disposed in a horizontal plane vof below. the bottom or the'reeesmrz1;` a pinzas,y

.` which is'securedin the socketelement nia4 2 6 while la.

a rotation is imparted mathe bit body il secured thereto are inclinedwith respect to the vertical axis ofthe vshank 2l and the 'drill stem il vto-whichsaid shank is connected.

' By varying the lengthof 'the recesses land -21 with relation to each other,` it is-'possibleto condeflection with a depending,'in

port ila' ofthe pilot' bit is established. The cutting blades Il extend` surface of the bit body l5 and the collar il and it is prefersaid element. Forr rotatably con- V n; said beu acetico fluid outwardly from as is clearling collarii. The

er the S0',

'4G carried by the d provided within the bearing collar.

through the weubore,

'tion shownrin coiled spring is holding the bearing collar 1.2

surface ofV Penal Pin a.

downwardly withA `pendedby means of the socket less angie of deflection may be obtained by mere varyinl the relative lngth of the two recesses. In order to relieve the pins Il and 2l of shear-` ing stresses, the ball il is provided with adelwhich extends downwardly into the bore llt!` o! the bit body il with relation to the the transmission of 2l and 2l. Byvarythis pin. a further be obtained. In

deflection ot thebitbody shank 2l and wilireduce shearing stress to the pins ing the external diameter of control of the deflection may some instances,.it might be desirable to increase 'the diameter of the pin 3l by merely placing a bushingl, such-'as' is shown in Figure 6 on ysaid` pin.l Buch bushing would increase thediameter ofthe pin and limit the deilection of the bit body I8. The provision of the possible tn reduce' the amount of deection aiter the lknuckle joint has been assembled vand 'after the recesses Il,I and 21 For constantly'urg'ingr the relation to the bali II. `I! surrounds the lower portion of the and has'its underside curved complethe upper end of said socket element. y A Hcoiledfspring 38, or other which also surroundsthe shank has its lowerend engaging the bearing collar Il while its"- upper are threaded on theupper portion of the shank Il. A suitable packing ring 32a is mounted withsocket element Il ing collar' shank 2l mentar-y to the curvature of .in a lrecess in the toi) of the collar. said packing beingv engaged khythe spring and sealing` oi! around the Obviously, the spring exerts its pressure to constantly urge the bearing collar 32 downwardlyinto engagement with the socket element 22 and therebyforce downwardly withrelation tothe shank. 'Suitable ball bearings II are interposed between the engaging faces of the collar I2y and the socket element 22. suitablepackingring` for packingoi! between thesefaces is provided, said ringbeing preferably 'I mountedl within an annular ygroove When the device is being lowered downwardly Figure 2. 1 In -this position,` the in contactvwith the socket elementll andy said socket elementisurged downwardly relative -to the ball il. In such .position-the weight of the bit assembly'is carried bythe socketand ball and the pins and "pas weil as the other pins 2l,

lowerfends of their respective recesses or grooves. Duefto the vfact that therecels is ofa Vgreater length than the-recess 21 which posed diametrically opposite the same, it is obviousthat the bit body' ii is inclined with relation to the shank!! .and the drillV stem il.` As has been .pointed out; this inclinationis controliedbyjthe 1relative lengtbsof the two recesses t' n and 11; Therefore, as the device lowers into the wellV bore A, the bit body Il; as well as the pilot bit il isdisposed at an anglefrom the vertical-axis of th'e drill stem, theseparts being suswhich has its f curved 'top resting upon the upper of the of the bit body i5' and aisoof the pilot bit i2. Thus; agi-eater 02175 bali. It is noted that at this time, thelower portion yof the ball it isspaced above the upper end 'of the bit body Iland this `upper' end of the bit body is formed with an arcuate seat Il.: which generally follows the contour of theball It. A 1e packing ring -is 'mounted I5,4 Manifestly, thediameier of this pin will eontroithe amount of y pin makes it have been formed;

end engages lock nuts 3l which said socket element ball Il'which isr theparts are in the poaiwithin a recess formed in-the seating surface and the purpose of this packing will be hereinafter described. For urging the packing 38 upwardly within its groove, a plurality of fluid ports 39 extend from the bore IIa'of the bit body I5 to the bottom .of the groove in which this packing is said bottom as is shown in Figure 1. When the bit I2 strikes the bottom of the bore, further downward movement'of the bit I2 and the parts connected thereto, which includes the bit body I5, is prevented. Since the socket element 22 is threaded onto the bit body I5, any downward movement of said socket element is also prevented. The weight of the drill stem I9 will cause a continued downward movement of the shank 20 and the ball element I9 until said ball engages the arcuate seat 31 ywhich is formed at the upperend of the bit body I5. Such' downward movement of the ball I9 to a'seated position causes the pins 28 and 29, as wellas the pins 25,.to move upwardly withintheir respective recesses or grooves, as is clearlyshown'in Figure 3. The downward movement of' theball element within the socket 22 will of course result in a slight compression of the spring 33, whereby the force or pressure of V thisspring is taken 01T of the pins 28, 29 and 25. The weight ofthe drill stem is then carried by the surface of the ball I9 engaging the seat 31. Sincetheball and socket connection is relieved of. the spring,

a rotation of the bits will Anot result in a tendency of thebits to be swung or urged from the oriented position, as would be the case if the spring pressure remained on the connection.

Upon the rotation of the drill stem I0, it will be manifest that a rotation is imparted through the pins 25, 28' and 29 to the socket element 22. Since this element is directly connected' to the bit body I5, said bit is rotated, as is the pilotbit I2 which is connected to the bit I5 through the pipe I1. During such rotation of the drill stem and also ofthe two bits, the pins 28 and 29 will reciprocate vertically within their respective slots 26 and 21 but at vno time during such rotation willsaid pins engage the bottom of said recesses. The reciprocation of the pins within their slots is due to the knuckle joint connection, there be,-

ing a relative sliding movement between the socket and collar 32 during rotation; the friction between the'socket and collar-is, of course, reduced to a minimum by the bearings' 35; During the rotation of the bits I5 and I2, a suitable drilling mud may be circulated downwardly through the drill stem. This mud will pass downwardly through the bore 20a oi' the tubular shank 2 9,

which bore extends completely through the ball element I9 and the depending pin 30. The circulating drilling fluidv will then flow downwardly through the tubular pipe I1 and then outwardly trolled Abythe deection of the tool.

through the port I2a in the pilot -bit I2. A portion of this drilling uid will also pass outwardly through the inclined ports or passages I8 in the bit body I5, whereby when the blades vI4 of this bit engage the formation, said blades are lubricated and the'` cuttings washed upwardly. 'It is pointed out that the drilling fluid whichis flowing downwardly through the bit body I5 may also pass upwardly'through the inclined passages` 39 so that pressure of such uidis directed against the annular packing ring which packs off between the engaging surfaces of the ballV I9 and its seat 31. Thus, the pressure of the drilling uid is utilized to'maintain a seal at this point so as to prevent thedrilling fluid from contactingv or lentering the socket element 22. spring 33 is disposed above the socket 22 and during the rotation of the tool, said spring is not acting downwardly to maintain the deilection of e V the bit. This is true because the pins 28 and .29 are disposed above the bottom of their respective recesses and the deection o f the tool is maintained by the engagement of the pilot bit I24 with the formation, together with the weight of the drill -pipe or stem on'said bit. With this arrangement', the pins are not subjected to a hammering action against the lower 'end s of therecesses and, f

therefore, excessive `wear on the pins, as well as on their associate parts, is eliminated.

It is particularlyfnoted that the pins 29 and 29 are employed primarily for the purpose of controlling the degree of deection. However, they aid the pins 25m setting up a rotatable connection between the ball and socket. At the time that the bits are rotating, there isno'weight imposed on any or these connecting pins and they merely serve to impart rotation from the ball element I9 to the socket and then to the' bit.

After the pilot bithas drilled through the for-l mation a suiiicientdistance to move the main blt or reamer I5 tothe bottom of the bore A, it will be obvious that this latter bit or reamer will engagey the formation to drill a full gage hole. Thus, the well bore A may be continued at the same diameterin any desired direction as con- It is noted that the bit blades II may be of such size as to drill a full gage hole because they are located substantially at the knuckle joint K, with the result that they do not'have to undergo any substantial lateral movement upon the deiiection of the tool.

The foregoing description of the invention is explanatory thereof and various changes 'in the .f size, shape and materials as well as in the details of the illustrated construction may .be made.

within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

, What I claim and desire to secure'- by Letters Patent is: v ,1.v A well bore deflecting tool including, a drill bit,'means including a knuckle Joint for'operatively connecting said bit to the lower end of. a drill string, a resilient means interposed between the knuckle joint andthe drill string for yieldably directing said bit in a predetermined deected direction relative to the drill string, and means for'relieving the elements of the knuckle joint from the pressure of the resilient means when I the bit is engaged withv the formation to perform a drilling operation.

2. A well bore deiiecting tool including, a drill bit, a reamer above the drill bit and connected thereto, a knuckle joint operatively `connecting the reamer to a drill stern` whereby'the reamer The respect to the drill' stem.""means incorporated .within the knuckle `jointffor limitingthe'denection orsaid reamer 'ndfbit. and means for re.-

1iev'ingtne knuckle joiritf'ofthe pressure of .the

the bit wltha drill pipe. whereby said bit maybe rotated about its axis whilepositioned at an angle with respect to thefdrill `pipe,`yieldable means interposed between the knuckle joint and drill pipeand Aacting `on said joint to normally yieldinglydeilect said .bitl at an angle relative tothe pipe,rand means for relieving lthe elements of the lknuckle jointirom the pressure of said yieldable means upon relative .l longitudinal movement of the drill stem andbit.

y 4. A well bore deecting toolincludingga bit, a socket elementv connected to the upper end of said Vbitya.l ball element connected to` a `drill stem and insertable within said'socketl element, whereby a knuckle jointconnection between the n ymanioc ltheelementsl and a spring above the socket ursing said ysocket downwardly on theball so as 'to normally maintain -thepins at thebottom o! the recesses, whereby the drill bitis normally suspended from the drill stem'at a predetermined angle ofdeflection, the recesses and `pins being so -located that when the drillbitls suspended during lowering, the ball is unseated withinthe socket and the weight of the blt is carried by the socket, downward movement of the ball element' relative to the socket when further downward movement ot the socket is prevented becausefotthe vbit striking the bottom of the bore,

causing fthe ball to be seated, wherebythe pins are moved upwardly in"the.r`e'cess es and the weight of the drill stem is carried solely bylthe 'enlaginz suriacesct the ball andsocket during the rotatingy operatic such kdownward movementfoi the ball within its socket also ycompressing the sllg'lrls` and rel kving vthe pinsof the pressure of .such"spring, whereby during the rotation of the stem and bit the pins function solely as a l connectionr to impart rotation from the ball to bit and stem is provided, said ball havinga loose n fit within the socket soas to be capableof a limited vertical movement therein, coacting recesses and pins on theball and socketjelements for controlling the relative movement of the elements to4 each other and for rotatably-connecting the elements, and a spring above the socket urging said socket'l downwardly on the ball so .as'to normally maintain thepins at the bottom o! the recesses, whereby the drillbit vis normally-sus pended from the drill stem at -a predetermined angle 4of, deilection. 1 V e y 5. A well bore deilecting ytool including, a drill bit, a socket element connected to the upper end of; said bit, a ball element connected to' a drill stem and insertable within'said socket element, whereby a knuckle joint connection between Ythe bit and stem is provided,`said ballfhaving a loose nt' within thexsocket so yas to Abeleapable of ka limited vertical movement therein, coacting recesses and pins on the balllandso'cket' elements 'for controlling the relative mvementof the elements to each other and for rotatably connecting the elements, and a spring above the socket .urging said socket downwardly on the ball's'ofas'rto normally maintain the pins at the bottom oi? the recesses, whereby the drill bit is normally ysus-,- pended fromfthe drillstem at-apredetermined angle of kdeilecton, theA recesses fand pins ybeing so located that whenv the drill bit is suspended during lowering, the ball `is unseated withinth'e socket and the weight of the bit is carried bythe socket, downward movement of the ball element relative to the socket when further downward movement of the socket is prevented becauseof the socket. y 'l y '1. A. well ,bore defiectinltool including. a drill bit, a socket element connected to the upper end of said bit, a ball element connected to a drill stem and insertable within said socket element, wherebyfa knuckle joint connection between the bit and'stem is provided, said ball having a loose ilt Within the limited vertical 'movement therein, coacting recesses and pins on the ball and socket elements for controlling the relative movementof the elements to each other and for rotatably `connecting the elements. and a spring above the socket urging said socket downwardlyL on the ball so as to normally maintain the pins at the bottom of the recesses, whereby the drill bit isnorm'ally 'suspended from the drill stem at', a predeter- Y, mined angle oi deflection, the ballelement havw thev bit .striking the bottom of the bore, causing the ball to be seated, whereby the pinsrare moved upwardly in the recesses and the weight of the drill stem is carried solely by the engaging surfaces ofthe ball and socket' during the rotating operations. -j

6. A wellibore deilecting tool lncludin, a drill blt, a Vsocket element connected to the upper end of said bit,fa ball element connected to a drill stem andl insertable within said socket element,

wherebya knuckle joint connection between the bit and stem is provided-said ball having alooso iit 'within the socketso as to be capable or a limited verticalmovement therein, coactingreing anunresti'icted` flow passageextending entirely therethrough, whereby a-free circulation of drillingdownwardly .through the stem and ball f and to the drill bit may be had.

. 8. A well bore deilecting toolfincludingga drill bit, a socket elementconnected to the upper end .of said bien bau element ccrmecd to a drin stem and insertable within said socket element, whereby a knuckle joint connection between the bit and stem ls.;provided,`.means on the'socket and ballelements' for limitingthe relative movement of the socket `and ball, whereby the angle of deflection of the bit relative tothe `stem is controlled, and a depending member on the ball element and movable within the bore of the bit to vwhich. the socket is connected for further controlling the relative movement between ythe ball and socket. .f

9. A well boresdeilectlng tool including, a drill bit, a socket-elementl connected to the upper end of said bit,a `ball element connected to a drill stem andinsertable within said socket element, whereby a knuckle joint connection between the bit and ystem is provided, said ball'having a loose tit within' the` socketl so as lto be capable of `a limited vertical movementftherein, coacting recesses and pinson the ball and socket elements for controlling the relative movementoi' the elements to each other and for rotatably connecting cesses and pins on the ball and socket elements for controlling the relative movement of the elements toveach other andror rotatably connecting the elements, a .spring abovepthe socket urging said socket downwardly o'n the ball so as to 'normally maintain pihsat the bottom o! the recesses, whereby the drill bit is normally suspended from' the drill stem at a predetermined socket so as to becapable of a angle of deflection, and a depending member on the ball element and movable within the bore of the bit to which the socket is connected for further controlling the relative movement between the ball and socket.

l0. A well bore deflecting tool including, a drill bit, a socket element connected to the upper end of said bit, a ball element connected to a drill stem and insertable within said socket element, whereby a knuckle joint connection between the bit and stem is provided, said ball having a loose t within the socket so as to be capable of a limited vertical movement therein, coactlng re-l cesses and pins on the ball and socket elements for controlling the relative movement of the elements to each other and for rotatably connecting the elements, and a spring above the socket urging said socket downwardly on the ball so as to normally maintain the pins at the bottom ofthe recesses, whereby the drill bit is normally suspended from the drill stemV at a predetermined angle of deiiection, the recesses and pins being so located that when the drill bit is suspended during lowering, the ball is unseated within the socket, and the weight of the bit is carried by said socket, downward movement of the ball element relative to the socket when further downward movement of the socket is prevented because of the bit striking the bottom of the bore, causing the ball to be seated, whereby the pins are moved upwardly in the recesses and the weight of the drill stem is carried solely by the engaging surfaces of the ball and socket during the rotating operation, the ball element having an unrestricted iiow passage extending entirely therethrough, whereby a free circulation of drilling downwardly through the stem to the drill bit may be had.

11. A well bore deilecting tool including, a drill bit, a socket element connected to the upper end of said bit, a ball element connected to a drill stem and insertable within said socket element, whereby a knuckle joint connection between the bit and stem is provided, said ball having a loose iit within the socket so as to be and ball and capable of a limited vertical movement therein, coacting recesses and pins on the ball and socket elements for controlling the relative movement of the elements to each other and for rotatably connecting the elements, a spring above the socket urging said socket downwardly on the ball so as to normally maintain the pins at the bottom of the recesses, whereby the drill bit is nory mally suspended from the drill stem at a predetermined angle of deflection, the recesses and pins being so located that when the drill bit is suspended during lowering, the ball, is unseated within the socket, whereby the weight of the bit is carried by said socket engaging the top of the ball, downward movement of the ball element relativeto the socket when further downward movement of the socket is prevented because of the bit striking the bottom of the bore, causing the ball to be seated,'whereby the pins are moved upwardly in the' recesses and the weight of the drill stem is carried solely by the engaging surfaces of the ball and socket during the rotating operation, the ball element having an unrestricted ow passage extending entirely therethrough, whereby a free circulation of drilling uid downf wardly through the stem and ball and to the drill bit maybe had, means for packing olf the engaging surfaces of the ball and socket when said ball is seated, and means for circulating a drilling uid downwardly through the ball element and to the bit during rotation of said bit.

12. A well bore deecting tool including, a drill bit, a socket element connected to the upper end oi said bit, a ball element connected to a drill stem and insertable within said socket element, whereby a'knuckle joint connection between the bit and stemis provided, means for rotatablyfconnecting the ball and socket elements and arranged so as to permit a deilection of the socket on the ball, and depending means on said ball coacting with the bore of the socket for limiting the deilection of said socket and for relievlng the connecting means of shearing stresses.

WILLIAM N. osWALn. 

